Chopper crash in northern B.C. kills 3

Three men have been killed in a helicopter crash on the Nelson Glacier near Stewart B.C.

Approximate location of the crash site

RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said the chopper, operated by Vancouver Island Helicopters, was carrying a pilot and two passengers when it went down Sunday afternoon, about 160 kilometres north of Prince Rupert on B.C.'s northern coast.

Moskaluk said the helicopter was involved in geological work in the area.

RCMP in Stewart received a report of the crash about 4 p.m. PT, Moskaluk said, and Vancouver Island Helicopters helped take officers to the crash site.

Transportation Safety Board investigator Bill Yearwood said he heard it was windy in the area at the time of the crash.

"It was quite windy and the terrain being rough, it's been reported there were a lot of downdrafts in the area at the time, but that is just hearsay at this time," Yearwood said.

Moskaluk said the cause of the crash is unknown and Transport Canada would lead the investigation.